Article Options

Pinckneyville hires county sergeant as new police chief

BY ADAM TESTA, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, May 12, 2008 11:09 PM CDT

PINCKNEYVILLE - It won't take long for Pinckneyville's police chief to learn his new routes or meet the people living in the city.

The City Council unanimously approved the recommendation to hire John Griffin, a sergeant with the Perry County Sheriff's Department and a Pinckneyville resident, as the police department's top official.

"He's well known and well respected as a law enforcement officer in the community," said Commissioner Martin Beltz.

Griffin will have a salary of $44,000 per year, with an additional $500 per month stipend because he will not be entering the city's insurance program. All other benefits will remain the same as other employees unless adjusted.

Former Police Chief Paul "Buddy" Day, who was forced from his position by the lack of a city council reappointment earlier this year, earned about the same level of pay after 31 years with the department and four as chief, Mayor Joseph Holder said in February.

A committee formed that same month to begin the search for a new chief. Citizen Mary Roe, Perry County State's Attorney David Stanton, past Commissioner Sam Fulk, Holder and Beltz served on the committee, which reviewed 20 initial applicants.

When the pool was narrowed to five, Stanton withdrew himself from the committee to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, since he works with law enforcement in the county. The final five candidates were then interviewed closely.

"It was a close call," Holder said. "We had some good people."

Griffin's start date remains undetermined at this point, as he will have to sign an employment agreement and give proper notice to the sheriff's department.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

351-5031